Bed bug infestations have continued to be on the rise for several years now.  As a result, it is not unreasonable that bed bug lawsuits are showing up on court dockets more and more throughout the country.  New York City is not immune to such cases.

It is hard to detect where bed bugs originate and as a result it is harder to assign blame for the pitfalls of infestation.  There are thousands of dollars at stake for people dealing with infestation problems.  By law, New York City landlords must pay for extermination.  The big question is; who should absorb the cost of destroyed property and rent for the infested property? 

The New York City courts are showing sympathy for the tenants though.  In 2004, the tides turned to benefit tenants.  Take the case of Ludlow Properties LLC vs. Young.  Judge Cyril Bedford sided with a tenant who refused to pay rent for six months for her bed bug infested abode.  Judge Bedford stated “Although bedbug are classified as vermin, they are unlike the more common situation of vermin such as mice and roaches, which, although offensive, do not have the effect on one’s life as bedbugs do, feeding upon one’s blood in hoards nightly turning what is supposed to be bed rest or sleep into a hellish experience.”

This decision reverses a previous law on the books about exterminating vermin which dates all the way back to 1908.  The ripple effects are being felt and tenants are enjoying their day in court.

Although denied by spokesperson, bed bugs have been spotted in a Brooklyn courtroom.  Maybe lawyers would feel differently about whom they represent once they get bitten by an actual bed bug in court themselves.

Need to get rid of the pests?  Come on over to Stern Environmental Group to have all your bed bug needs met.